ISSN;2321;550X Vol 6, Issue 1, 2018 Review Article NUTRITIONAL HEALTH BENEFIT OF (COCOS NUCIFERA) WATER

NWAKUNITE LAWRENCIA CHINASA* Department of C/O Food Technology, Federal Poly, Oko, Nigeria. Email: [email protected] Received: 16 February 2018, Revised and Accepted: 28 March 2018

ABSTRACT

Coconut is one of the most valuable foods known to humankind, and the various edible products of coconut palm only enhance the importance of this remarkable tree, and it is widely distributed in the tropics. This paper gives an insight into the nutrition and health benefits derived from coconut water. The lauric acid present in coconut water has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which boost the body’s immune system. It improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients. The and magnesium benefit blood pressure and heart functions. Above all, it contains lower calories.

Keywords: Coconut water, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antiviral properties.

INTRODUCTION Coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage - with the same level of

According to Ihekoronye and Ngoddy [1], the scientific name of coconut • is Cocos nucifera. Early Spanish explorers called it Cocos, which means, electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It is the fluid of life, so “Monkey face” because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut theto speak. nut - to In give fact, emergency during the plasma Pacific transfusions War of 1941–1945, to wounded both soldiers. sides in resemble the head and face of a monkey nucifera means nut bearing. the conflicts regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from most sports (117 mg) and most energy . Coconut provided a nutritious source of meat, , milk, and oil that • Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than has fed and nourished populations around the world for generation. • Coconut has less sodium (25 mg) where sports drinks have around Coconut juice is highly nutritious and rich in and minerals. It is (41 mg), and energy drinks have about 200 mg! classified as a functional food because it provides many health benefits • Coconut water has 5 mg of natural where sports and energy beyond its nutritional content [3]. Tender are one of the a 100 ml drink. drinks range from 10 to 25 mg of altered sugars. Data are based on richest sources of electrolytes, chlorides, potassium, and magnesium with some amount of and . The potassium content benefits All natural coconut water from the young green coconut blood pressure and heart function. Coconut water is also found to have , manganese, calcium, riboflavin, and C. • Want to rehydrate? • Raise your metabolism and boost your immune system? Vita Coco 100% young green coconut water (juice) • Cleanse your digestive tract? Young green coconut water is a perfect medium for fermenting the • Detox and fight viruses? different probiotic cultures from the body ecology diet as well as having • Balance your pH and reduce risk of cancer? many benefits on its own as documented below. Once fermented the Coconut water coconut water becomes a powerful probiotic food with numerous Coconut water has been used for rehydration and as a health and health benefits. beauty aid in tropical regions around the world for countries. Many people know of the healing benefits of . Coconut water Vita Coco is 100% young green coconut water with nothing added now joins the pantry’s cabinet. Coconuts are antiviral, antifungal, and or taken away. This unique product the same as you would get antimicrobial. Other uses are as follows: Mix coconut water with other from a fresh young green coconut known throughout the world for for a tasty blend that increases the health benefit and decreases its health benefits. the amount of calories and sugars in your drink. Boost the benefits and cut the sugar of the juice by adding Vita Coco coconut water. For Some information about natural coconut water from the young green your health, coconut water is as follows: coconut, “Coconut” water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure, Rehydrates naturally, free of added sugars or chemicals full of natural sugars, salt, and vitamins to the ward off fatigue and is Lowers arterial pressure the next wave of energy drinks. But “Natural” according to Mortin Satin • Eliminates swelling in hands and feet Chief of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Coconut • Normalizes the intestinal function and raises metabolism water contains medium chain triglycerides, which actively promote • Relieves spasms and stomach pain weight loss. • Ease burns Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk - less and no • Heals damage induced by antibiotics and toxins in the digestive tract [2]. • • Coconut water is more healthy than - much lower calories Health• benefits Coconut water is better than processed baby milk - it contains lauric Indigenous people of tropical countries relied on natural plants for their • acid, which is present in human mother’s milk medicine young coconut juice is literally a well-supplied medicine chest • Coconut water is naturally sterile - water permeates though the that comes in its own container and is used in folk healing for a number of ailment: Relieving fevers, headaches, stomach upset, diarrhea, and • Coconut water is a universal donor - its identical to human blood dispensary. The juice is also given to strength the heart and restores plasmafiltering husk! energy to the ill. Pregnant woman in the tropics eagerly drinks large • Nwakunite and Chinasa Innovare Journal of Food Sci , Vol 6, Issue 1, 2018, 6-7 quantities of young coconut juice because they believe it will give their Antioxidant and antistress activity babies strength vitality. A study carried out by Yaep et al. [7] evaluated the antistress and antioxidant effects of VCO in vivo. VCO has been reported to be rich in polyphenols and these contribute to the increased antioxidant enzyme writes, “Never” before in the history of man is it so important to levels, which, in turn, reduces inflammation and lipid peroxidation in emphasizeKabara, P.h.D, the value Professor of lauric Emeritus acid. The from lauric Michigan acid present State in University coconut VCO treated in mice. Restoration of brain antioxidant levels hinders water has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which further neuronal damage, thereby preventing subsequent monoamine boost the body’s immune system. The medium chain in coconut depletion. The potential of VCO to prevent exercise and chronic cold oil are similar to fats in mother’s milk and have similar nutrifical effect restraint stress-induced damage and to restore the antioxidant balance because of its potent antiviral and antibacterial properties, thereby was demonstrated, and this was attributed to the polyphenols and fighting against yeast fungi and other viruses such as measles, herpes medium chain fatty acids present in VCO. simplex, and influenza. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of VCO It also improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including A study conducted by Intahphuak et al. [6] evaluated the anti- inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of VCO in rats using ethyl phenyl. Propiolate-induced ear edema and carrageenan and Coconutvitamins, oilminerals, and amino acids [5]. arachidonic acid-induced paw edema. VCO was found to possess Coconut oil for health and vitality antiviral, antimicrobial, and moderate anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, there are anticancer antiobesity coconut oil has a unique role in the diet as an important physiologically functional food. The health and nutritional benefits that can be derived from consuming coconut oil have been recognized in CONCLUSIONeffects on coconut oil according to Sylianco [9]. many parts of the world for centuries. A review of the diet/heart disease literature relevant to coconut oil clearly indicates that coconut oil is at Coconut juice does not only provide a refreshing drink. It has been worth neutral with respect to atherogenicity of fats and oil and, in fact, observed that it has a lot of health and nutritional benefits and as such is likely to be a beneficial oil for prevention and treatment of some heart should not be overlooked. disease. In addition, coconut oil provides a source of antimicrobial liquid for individual with compromised immune systems and is a no REFERENCES promoting fat with respect to chemical carcinogenesis. 1. Ihekoronye AI, Ngoddy RO. Integrated Food Science and Technology for the Tropics. London and Basingstoke: Macmillan Published L.T.D.; 1985. Physiochemical characteristics of coconut oil 2. Available from: http://www.e-f-t.co.uk/younggreencoconutwater.html. 3. Available from: http//www.coconutresearchcenter.org/coconut juice.html.4. Chemical properties and chemistry Availablefrom: http://www.geology.wr.usgs.gov/docs/usgsnes/province/ , it was discovered that coconut oil differed coloplat.html. from other fats and oils in that it was found to be composed 5. Available from: http//www.vegparadise.com/highestperch58.html. Inpredominantly the 1020s and medium 1930s chain triglycerides (MCTs). The composition of 6. Intahphuak S, Khonsung P, Panthong A. Anti-inflammatory antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharm Biol 2010;48:151-7. fatty acids in virgin 7. Yaep SK, Beh BK, Ali NM, Yusof HM. Antistress and antioxidant saturated fats: Lauric acid, myristic acid, coconut oil (VCO) as determined by gas–liquid effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo. Exp Ther Med 2015;9:39. palmitic acid, linoleic acid, etc. VCO is colorless, free of rancidity and 8. Johnson RC, Cotter R. Metabolism of medium chain triglyceride lipid chromatography includes has specific fresh natural coconut aroma, etc. MCTs found in VCO are emulsion. Nutr Int 1996;2:150-8. considered essential nutrient for infant according to Johnson and Cotter 9. Sylianco CY. Anticarcinogenic effect of coconut oil. Coconut Stud [8]. 1987;12:89-102.

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